212-82 Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT) Question and Answers

For an e-commerce company undergoing rapid expansion, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is the most relevant risk management framework:

Customizability: NIST CSF is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for a growing e-commerce platform.

Comprehensive Approach: Covers identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery, which are critical for e-commerce security.

Industry Agnostic: Applicable across various sectors, providing a robust foundation for different security needs.

Guidance and Best Practices: NIST CSF provides detailed guidelines and best practices that help organizations develop a comprehensive security posture.

References:

NIST Cybersecurity Framework:NIST CSF

Implementation of NIST CSF in e-commerce: SANS Institute

Data in transit is the state of data being processed between the e-commerce website and payment gateway in the above scenario. Data in transit is the data that is moving from one location to another over a network, such as the internet. Data in transit can be vulnerable to interception, modification, or theft by unauthorized parties. Therefore, data in transit should be protected using encryption, authentication, and secure protocols2. References: Data in Transit

5.9.188.148 is the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com in the above scenario. A threat intelligence feed is a source of data that provides information about current or potential threats and attacks that can affect an organization’s network or system. A threat intelligence feed can include indicators of compromise (IoCs), such as IP addresses, domain names, URLs, hashes, etc., that can be used to detect or prevent malicious activities. To analyze the threat intelligence feed data file and determine the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Open Threatfeed.txt file with a text editor.

Search for http://securityabc.s21sec.com in the file.

Observe the IP address associated with the URL.

The IP address associated with the URL is 5.9.188.148, which is the IP address linked with http://securityabc.s21sec.com. 

The correct answer is A, as it identifies the type of Internet access policy implemented by Ashton in the above scenario. An Internet access policy is a set of rules and guidelines that defines how an organization’s employees or members can use the Internet and what types of websites or services they can access. There are different types of Internet access policies, such as:

Paranoid policy: This type of policy forbids everything and imposes strict restrictions on all company computers, whether it is system or network usage. This policy is suitable for organizations that deal with highly sensitive or classified information and have a high level of security and compliance requirements.

Prudent policy: This type of policy allows some things and blocks others and imposes moderate restrictions on company computers, depending on the role and responsibility of the user. This policy is suitable for organizations that deal with confidential or proprietary information and have a medium level of security and compliance requirements.

Permissive policy: This type of policy allows most things and blocks few and imposes minimal restrictions on company computers, as long as the user does not violate any laws or regulations. This policy is suitable for organizations that deal with public or general information and have a low level of security and compliance requirements.

Promiscuous policy: This type of policy allows everything and blocks nothing and imposes no restrictions on company computers, regardless of the user’s role or responsibility. This policy is suitable for organizations that have no security or compliance requirements and trust their employees or members to use the Internet responsibly.

In the above scenario, Ashton implemented a paranoid policy that forbids everything and imposes strict restrictions on all company computers, whether it is system or network usage. Option B is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of Internet access policy implemented by Ashton in the above scenario. A prudent policy allows some things and blocks others and imposes moderate restrictions on company computers, depending on the role and responsibility of the user. In the above scenario, Ashton did not implement a prudent policy, but a paranoid policy. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of Internet access policy implemented by Ashton in the above scenario. A permissive policy allows most things and blocks few and imposes minimal restrictions on company computers, as long as the user does not violate any laws or regulations. In the above scenario, Ashton did not implement a permissive policy, but a paranoid policy. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of Internet access policy implemented by Ashton in the above scenario. A promiscuous policy allows everything and blocks nothing and imposes no restrictions on company computers, regardless of the user’s role or responsibility. In the above scenario, Ashton did not implement a promiscuous policy, but a paranoid policy.

References: , Section 6.2

 Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message received by Jaden in the above scenario. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a protocol that sends error and control messages between network devices. ICMP error messages are categorized by types and codes, which indicate the cause and nature of the error. Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates an IP parameter problem, which means that the IP header field contains invalid information . Type = 8 is the type of ICMP message that indicates an echo request, which is used to test the connectivity and reachability of a destination host. Type = 5 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a redirect, which means that a better route to the destination host is available. Type = 3 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a destination unreachable, which means that the destination host or network cannot be reached. 

The testing tier of a secure application development lifecycle involves checking the performance of the application on the client’s network to determine whether end users are facing any issues in accessing the application. Testing is a crucial phase of software development that ensures the quality, functionality, reliability, and security of the application. Testing can be done manually or automatically using various tools and techniques, such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, regression testing, performance testing, usability testing, security testing, and acceptance testing

Content-based signature analysis is the type of attack signature analysis performed by Anderson in the above scenario. Content-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet header fields such as IP options, IP protocols, IP fragmentation flags, offset, and identification to check whether any fields are altered in transit. Content-based signature analysis can help detect attacks that manipulate packet headers to evade detection or exploit vulnerabilities . Context-based signature analysis is a technique that analyzes packet payloads such as application data or commands to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Atomic-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes individual packets to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. Composite-signature-based analysis is a technique that analyzes multiple packets or sessions to check whether they match any known attack patterns or signatures. 

 Masking is the technique that Andre employed in the above scenario. Masking is a deidentification technique that can replace the critical information in database fields with special characters such as asterisks (*) and hashes (#). Masking can help protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or disclosure, while preserving the format and structure of the original data . Tokenization is a deidentification technique that can replace the critical information in database fields with random tokens that have no meaning or relation to the original data. Hashing is a deidentification technique that can transform the critical information in database fields into fixed-length strings using a mathematical function. Bucketing is a deidentification technique that can group the critical information in database fields into ranges or categories based on certain criteria.

 Turn the device ON if it is OFF, do not leave the device as it is if it is ON, and make sure that the device is charged are some of the points that Shawn must follow while preserving the digital evidence in the above scenario. Digital evidence is any information or data stored or transmitted in digital form that can be used in a legal proceeding or investigation. Digital evidence can be found on various devices, such as computers, mobile phones, tablets, etc. Preserving digital evidence is a crucial step in forensic investigation that involves protecting and maintaining the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence from any alteration or damage. Some of the points that Shawn must follow while preserving digital evidence are:

Turn the device ON if it is OFF: If the device is OFF, Shawn must turn it ON to prevent any data loss or encryption that may occur when the device is powered off. Shawn must also document any password or PIN required to unlock or access the device.

Do not leave the device as it is if it is ON: If the device is ON, Shawn must not leave it as it is or use it for any purpose other than preserving digital evidence. Shawn must also disable any network connections or communication features on the device, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular data, etc., to prevent any remote access or deletion of data by unauthorized parties.

Make sure that the device is charged: Shawn must ensure that the device has enough battery power to prevent any data loss or corruption that may occur due to sudden shutdown or low battery. Shawn must also use a write blocker or a Faraday bag to isolate the device from any external interference or signals.

Never record the screen display of the device is not a point that Shawn must follow while preserving digital evidence. On contrary, Shawn should record or photograph the screen display of the device to capture any relevant information or messages that may appear on the screen. Recording or photographing the screen display of the device can also help document any changes or actions performed on the device during preservation. 

SQL Injection Basics:

SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in an application's software by inserting malicious SQL statements into an input field for execution.

The correct answer is C, as it identifies the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS is a set of standards that aims to protect cardholder data and ensure secure payment transactions. PCI-DSS has 12 requirements that cover various aspects of security such as network configuration, data encryption, access control, vulnerability management, monitoring, and testing. PCI-DSS requirement no 5.1 states that “Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs”. In the above scenario, Myles followed this requirement by installing antivirus software on each laptop to detect and protect the machines from external malicious events over the Internet. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.2 states that “Do not allow unauthorized outbound traffic from the cardholder data environment to the Internet”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option B is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.5 states that “Restrict inbound and outboundtraffic to that which is necessary for the cardholder data environment”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of inbound or outbound traffic or cardholder data environment. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the PCI-DSS requirement followed by Myles in the above scenario. PCI-DSS requirement no 1.3.1 states that “Implement a firewall configuration that restricts connections between publicly accessible servers and any system component storing cardholder data”. In the above scenario, Myles did not follow this requirement, as there was no mention of firewall configuration or publicly accessible servers or system components storing cardholder data.

References: Section 5.2

 The correct answer is B, as it identifies the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Eavesdropping is a type of attack that involves intercepting and listening to the communication between two parties without their knowledge or consent. Thomas performed eavesdropping by sniffing communication between the administrator and an application server to retrieve the admin credentials. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Vishing is a type of attack that involves using voice calls to trick people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not use voice calls but sniffed network traffic. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Phishing is a type of attack that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources to lure people into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions. Thomas did not send any emails or messages but sniffed network traffic. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of attack performed by Thomas in the above scenario. Dumpster diving is a type of attack that involves searching through trash or discarded items to findvaluable information or resources. Thomas did not search through trash or discarded items but sniffed network traffic.

References: Section 2.2

To effectively trace unauthorized activities within TechTonic's Windows-based server farm, the best strategy is:

Centralized Logging:

Aggregation: Collect all system logs in a centralized logging server. This ensures that all log data is stored in one place, making it easier to manage and analyze.

Correlation: Correlate logs from different sources to identify patterns and anomalies that might indicate unauthorized activities.

Pattern-Detection Algorithms:

Automated Analysis: Use algorithms to automatically detect patterns that are indicative of security breaches. This can include machine learning models trained to recognize signs of intrusion.

Real-Time Alerts: Set up real-time alerts for suspicious activities identified by the pattern-detection algorithms, enabling swift responses to potential threats.

References:

Best practices for Windows logging and monitoring:Microsoft Docs

Centralized logging solutions and their benefits: Splunk Documentation

Anomaly-Based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS):

Anomaly-based IDS monitor network traffic and system activities for unusual patterns that may indicate malicious behavior. They are effective in identifying unknown threats by detecting deviations from the established baseline of normal activities.

The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is the security control implemented by Hayes in the above scenario. RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) are devices that control and monitor industrial processes, such as power generation, water treatment, oil and gas production, etc. RTU and PLC commands are instructions that are sent from a master station to a slave station to perform certain actions or request certain data. The use of authorized RTU and PLC commands is a security control that fortifies the IDMZ (Industrial Demilitarized Zone) against cyber-attacks by ensuring that only valid and authenticated commands are executed by the RTU and PLC devices. Point-to-point communication is a communication method that establishes a direct connection between two endpoints. MAC authentication is an authentication method that verifies the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device before granting access to a network. Anti-DoS solution is asecurity solution that protects a network from DoS (Denial-of-Service) attacks by filtering or blocking malicious traffic.

Temp_High is the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network in the above scenario. An IoT (Internet of Things) device is a device that can connect to the internet and communicate with other devices or systems over a network. An IoT device can send or receive commands or data for various purposes, such as monitoring, controlling, or automating processes. To analyze the IoT device traffic file and determine the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to the Documents folder of Attacker-1 machine.

Double-click on loTdeviceTraffic.pcapng file to open it with Wireshark.

Click on Analyze menu and select Display Filters option.

Enter udp.port == 5000 as filter expression and click on Apply button.

Observe the packets filtered by the expression.

Click on packet number 4 and expand User Datagram Protocol section in packet details pane.

Observe the data field under User Datagram Protocol section.

The data field under User Datagram Protocol section is 54:65:6d:70:5f:48:69:67:68 , which is hexadecimal representation of Temp_High , which is the command that was sent by the IoT device over the network. 

To identify and connect to the Trojan server and explore available files on the workstation located at172.30.20.75, follow these steps:

Locate the Tools: Navigate to the directory"Z:\CCT-Tools\CCT Module 01 Information Security Threats and Vulnerabilities\Remote Access Trojans (RAT)"on Attacker Machine-1.

Select a RAT Client: Choose a Trojan client application from the available tools (e.g., EchoStrike).

Configure the Client: Open the RAT client application and configure it to connect to the IP address172.30.20.75.

Establish Connection: Connect to the Trojan server. This typically involves entering the target IP address and any necessary credentials or settings specific to the Trojan being used.

Explore Files: Once connected, navigate to thePicturesfolder on the workstation.

Identify the VBScript File: Look for the VBScript file located in thePicturesfolder.

Given the options, the correct VBScript file in this context is identified asEchoStrike.

References:

EC-Council materials on RAT tools and their usage.

Practical experience in ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies.

Recovery is the IH&R step performed by Edwin in the above scenario. IH&R (Incident Handling and Response) is a process that involves identifying, analyzing, containing, eradicating, recovering from, and reporting on security incidents that affect an organization’s network or system. Recovery is the IH&R step that involves restoring the normal operation of the system ornetwork after eradicating the incident. Recovery can include reinstating lost data from the backup media, applying patches or updates, reconfiguring settings, testing functionality, etc. Recovery also involves ensuring that the backup does not have any traces of malware or compromise . Eradication is the IH&R step that involves removing all traces of the incident from the system or network, such as malware, backdoors, compromised files, etc. Incident containment is the IH&R step that involves implementing appropriate measures to stop the infection from spreading to other organizational assets and to prevent further damage to the organization. Notification is the IH&R step that involves informing relevant stakeholders, authorities, or customers about the incident and its impact. 

A hub-and-spoke VPN topology is a type of VPN topology where all the remote offices communicate with the corporate office, but communication between the remote offices is denied. The corporate office acts as the hub, and the remote offices act as the spokes. This topology reduces the number of VPN tunnels required and simplifies the management of VPN policies. A point-to-point VPN topology is a type of VPN topology where two endpoints establish a direct VPN connection. A star topology is a type of VPN topology where one endpoint acts as the central node and connects to multiple other endpoints. A full-mesh VPN topology is a type of VPN topology where every endpoint connects to every other endpoint. 

Weaponization is the stage of the cyber kill chain that you are at in the above scenario. The cyber kill chain is a model that describes the phases of a cyberattack from the perspective of the attacker. The cyber kill chain consists of seven stages: reconnaissance, weaponization,delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives. Reconnaissance is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves gathering information about the target, such as IP addresses, domain names, vulnerabilities, etc. Weaponization is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves creating a malicious payload or tool that can exploit the target’s vulnerabilities. Weaponization can include creating a client-side backdoor to send it to the employees via email. Delivery is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves transmitting or delivering the weaponized payload or tool to the target’s system or network. Exploitation is the stage of the cyber kill chain that involves executing or triggering the weaponized payload or tool on the target’s system or network. 

Success audit is the type of event that Brielle identified in the above scenario. Success audit is a type of event that records successful attempts to access a network device or resource. Success audit can be used to monitor authorized activities on a network, but it can also indicate unauthorized activities by malicious actors who have compromised credentials or bypassed security controls4.

References: Success Audit Event

Inclusion of Diverse Perspectives:

Involving stakeholders in policy formulation ensures that the security policy considers the diverse needs and perspectives of different departments and employees across NexusCorp’s complex organizational structure.

 It identifies the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A physical lock is a device that prevents unauthorized access to a door, gate, cabinet, or other enclosure by using a mechanism that requires a key, code, or biometric factor to open or close it. There are different types of physical locks, such as:

Combination lock: This type of lock requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. This type of lock is suitable for securing safes, lockers, or cabinets that store valuable items or documents.

Digital lock: This type of lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require frequent access or multiple users.

Mechanical lock: This type of lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require simple and reliable access or single users.

Electromagnetic lock: This type of lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require remote control or integration with other security systems.

In the above scenario, the organization used a combination lock that requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A digital lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a digital lock, but a combination lock. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A mechanical lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a mechanical lock, but a combination lock. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. An electromagnetic lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. In the above scenario, the organization did not use an electromagnetic lock, but a combination lock. References: , Section 7.2

WPA3 encryption is the type of wireless encryption used by the security solution employed by Matias in the above scenario. WPA3 encryption is the latest and most secure version of Wi-FiProtected Access, a protocol that provides authentication and encryption for wireless networks. WPA3 encryption uses 256-bit Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256) to maintain the authenticity and confidentiality of data. WPA3 encryption also provides enhanced protection against offline dictionary attacks, forward secrecy, and secure public Wi-Fi access . WPA2 encryption is the previous version of Wi-Fi Protected Access, which uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for data encryption. WEP encryption is an outdated and insecure version of Wi-Fi security, which uses RC4 stream cipher for data encryption. WPA encryption is an intermediate version of Wi-Fi security, which uses TKIP for data encryption.

Targeted Penetration Test:

In a targeted test, both the penetration testers and the organization's IT team are aware of the testing activities. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive assessment and immediate remediation of identified vulnerabilities.

 Anomaly detection is a type of IDS detection method that involves first creating models for possible intrusions and then comparing these models with incoming events to make a detection decision. It can detect unknown or zero-day attacks by looking for deviations from normal or expected behavior

Containerization is the technique that Stephen has implemented in the above scenario. Containerization is a technique that isolates personal and corporate data on an employee’s mobile device. Containerization creates separate encrypted containers or partitions on the device, where corporate applications and data are stored and managed. Containerization prevents corporate data leakage on employees’ mobile devices by restricting access, sharing, copying, or transferring of data between containers. Containerization also allows remote wiping of corporate data in case of device loss or theft . Full device encryption is a technique that encrypts all the data on a mobile device using a password or a key. Geofencing is a technique that uses GPS or RFID to define geographical boundaries and trigger actions based on the location of a mobile device. OTA (Over-the-Air) updates are updates that are delivered wirelessly to mobile devices without requiring physical connection to a computer.

 Yes is the answer to whether the file has been modified or not in the above scenario. A hash is a fixed-length string that is generated by applying a mathematical function, called a hash function, to a piece of data, such as a file or a message. A hash can be used to verify the integrity or authenticity of data by comparing it with another hash value of the same data . A hash value is unique and any change in the data will result in a different hash value . To compare the hash value of the original file with the leaked file and state whether the file has been modified or not, one has to follow these steps:

Navigate to Hash folder in Documents of Attacker-1 machine.

Open OriginalFileHash.txt file with a text editor.

Note down the MD5 hash value of the original file as 8f14e45fceea167a5a36dedd4bea2543

Open Command Prompt and change directory to Hash folder using cd command.

Type certutil -hashfile Sensitiveinfo.txt MD5 and press Enter key to generate MD5 hash value of leaked file.

Note down the MD5 hash value of leaked file as 9f14e45fceea167a5a36dedd4bea2543

Compare both MD5 hash values.

The MD5 hash values are different , which means that the file has been modified.

Risk of Natural Disasters:

Given Houston's susceptibility to hurricanes and flooding, the most critical physical security control for NexaBank's data center is to implement flood-resistant barriers and drainage systems.

Access Control:

Implementing an employee badge system with time-based access control ensures that only authorized personnel can access specific areas within the office, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a widely adopted access control model suitable for environments where permissions need to be aligned with job roles. Here’s why RBAC is the best choice for ProNet:

Definition: RBAC assigns permissions to roles rather than individuals. Users are then assigned to these roles.

Efficiency: Reduces administrative overhead by allowing permissions to be managed at the role level.

Scalability: Suitable for large organizations as roles can be easily modified to reflect changes in job functions.

Security: Ensures that users have only the necessary permissions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Implementation:

Define Roles: Identify the various roles within the organization (e.g., Admin, Developer, HR).

Assign Permissions: Map the necessary permissions to each role.

User Assignment: Assign users to appropriate roles based on their job functions.

References:

NIST RBAC model:Link

SANS Institute on RBAC: Link

Destination unreachable message is the network issue that Jordan found in this scenario. Destination unreachable message is a type of ICMP message that indicates that the datagram could not be forwarded owing to the unavailability of IP-related services (such as FTP or web services) on the target host. Destination unreachable message can be caused by various reasons, such as incorrect routing, firewall blocking, or host configuration problems1.

References: Destination Unreachable Message

Strong Security:

EAP-TLS provides strong security by using certificate-based authentication. This ensures that both the client and server are authenticated before a connection is established.

 Quid pro quo is the social engineering technique that Johnson employed in the above scenario. Quid pro quo is a social engineering method that involves offering a service or a benefit in exchange for information or access. Quid pro quo can be used to trick victims into believing that they are receiving help or assistance from a legitimate source, while in fact they are compromising their security or privacy. In the scenario, Johnson performed quid pro quo by claiming himself to represent a technical support team from a vendor and offering to help sibertech.org with a server issue, while in fact he prompted the victim to execute unusual commands and install malicious files, which were then used to collect and pass critical information to Johnson’s machine. If you want to learn more about social engineering techniques, you can check out these resources:

[1] A guide to different types of social engineering attacks and how to prevent them: [https://www.csoonline.com/article/2124681/what-is-social-engineering.html]

[2] A video that explains how quid pro quo works and how to avoid falling for it: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yy0gZ9xw8g]

[3] A quiz that tests your knowledge of social engineering techniques and scenarios: [https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=social-engineering-quiz]

Mitigating security risks associated with OS virtualization involves a comprehensive approach. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Implement Least Privilege Access Control for Users Managing VMs:

Limit access to only those users who need it.

Ensure that users have only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks.

Regularly Patch and Update the Hypervisor Software for Security Fixes:

Keep the hypervisor and virtualization software up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Regular patching minimizes the risk of exploitation.

Disable Security Features on Virtual Machines to Improve Performance:

Note: This is actually a security risk. The correct approach is toenable and configure security featuresto protect VMs, despite the potential minor impact on performance.

Comprehensive Approach:

A holistic security strategy includes enforcing least privilege, maintaining updated systems, and enabling security features on VMs to protect against a wide range of threats.

References:

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) materials.

Best practices for virtualization security from NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks.

A cloud auditor is a role played by Walker in the above scenario. A cloud auditor is a third party who examines controls of cloud computing service providers. Cloud auditor performs an audit to verify compliance with the standards and expressed his opinion through a report89. A cloud provider is an entity that provides cloud services, such as infrastructure, platform, or software, to cloud consumers10. A cloud carrier is an entity that provides connectivity and transport of cloud services between cloud providers and cloud consumers10. A cloud consumer is an entity that uses cloud services for its own purposes or on behalf of another entity

 Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message received by Jaden in the above scenario. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a protocol that sends error and control messages between network devices. ICMP error messages are categorized by types and codes, which indicate the cause and nature of the error. Type = 12 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates an IP parameter problem, which means that the IP header field contains invalid information . Type = 8 is the type of ICMP message that indicates an echo request, which is used to test the connectivity and reachability of a destination host. Type = 5 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a redirect, which means that a better route to the destination host is available. Type = 3 is the type of ICMP error message that indicates a destination unreachable, which means that the destination host or network cannot be reached. 

To address the issue of the AI-based fraud detection system flagging genuine transactions as fraudulent due to data poisoning, the primary focus should be on:

Retraining the AI Model:

Verified Data: Use only verified, clean transaction data to retrain the model. This helps to eliminate any compromised data that might be skewing the AI's decision-making process.

Model Integrity: Ensure the integrity of the training data to prevent future data poisoning attempts.

Real-Time Monitoring:

Detection Systems: Implement real-time monitoring to detect any attempts at data poisoning as they happen. This involves setting up alerts for abnormal patterns that could indicate malicious activity.

Continuous Learning: Integrate continuous learning systems that can adapt and respond to new threats in real-time, ensuring the AI system remains robust against evolving attack vectors.

References:

NIST guidelines on AI and data integrity:NIST AI

Research on data poisoning and mitigation techniques:IEEE Xplore

Dynamic Baseline Establishment:

Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of network traffic data over an extended period, such as a month, to understand normal and abnormal patterns dynamically.

 It identifies the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A physical lock is a device that prevents unauthorized access to a door, gate, cabinet, or other enclosure by using a mechanism that requires a key, code, or biometric factor to open or close it. There are different types of physical locks, such as:

Combination lock: This type of lock requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. This type of lock is suitable for securing safes, lockers, or cabinets that store valuable items or documents.

Digital lock: This type of lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require frequent access or multiple users.

Mechanical lock: This type of lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require simple and reliable access or single users.

Electromagnetic lock: This type of lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. This type of lock is suitable for securing doors or gates that require remote control or integration with other security systems.

In the above scenario, the organization used a combination lock that requires typing a sequence of numbers and letters by using a rotating dial that intermingles with several other rotating discs. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A digital lock requires entering a numeric or alphanumeric code by using a keypad or touchscreen. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a digital lock, but a combination lock. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. A mechanical lock requires inserting and turning a metal key that matches the shape and size of the lock. In the above scenario, the organization did not use a mechanical lock, but a combination lock. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of physical lock used by the organization in the above scenario. An electromagnetic lock requires applying an electric current to a magnet that attracts a metal plate attached to the door or gate. In the above scenario, the organization did not use an electromagnetic lock, but a combination lock. References: , Section 7.2

Content-based signature analysis is the attack signature analysis technique employed by Finley in this scenario. Content-based signature analysis is a technique that captures and analyzes a single network packet to determine whether the signature included malicious patterns. Content-based signature analysis can be used to detect known attacks, such as buffer overflows, SQL injections, or cross-site scripting2.

References: Content-Based Signature Analysis

 A data-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that employs existing data collected from various sources, such as DNS and proxy logs, to generate and test hypotheses about potential threats. This method relies on data analysis and machine learning techniques to identify patterns and anomalies that indicate malicious activity. A data-driven hunting method can help discover unknown or emerging threats that may evade traditional detection methods. An entity-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that focuses on specific entities, such as users, devices, or domains, that are suspected or known to be involved in malicious activity. A TTP-driven hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that leverages threat intelligence and knowledge of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to formulate and test hypotheses about potential threats. A hybrid hunting method is a type of threat hunting method that combines different approaches, such as data-driven, entity-driven, and TTP-driven methods, to achieve more comprehensive and effective results. 

Cold backup is the backup technique utilized by Ryleigh in the above scenario. Cold backup is a backup technique that involves taking a full backup of data when the system or database is offline or shut down. Cold backup ensures that the data is consistent and not corrupted by any ongoing transactions or operations. Cold backup is usually performed on a fixed date or time when the service-level downtime is allowed or scheduled . Nearline backup is a backup technique that involves storing data on a medium that is not immediately accessible, but can be retrieved within a short time. Hot backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is online or running. Warm backup is a backup technique that involves taking a backup of data while the system or database is partially online or running. 

The correct answer is B, as it identifies the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A guest account is a type of account that allows temporary or limited access to a system or network for visitors or users who do not belong to the organization. A guest account typically has minimal privileges and permissions and can only access certain files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has given Sam a guest account for the demonstration. Using this account, Sam can only access the files that are required for the demonstration and cannot open any other file in the system. Option A is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A service account is a type of account that allows applications or services to run on a system or network under a specific identity. A service account typically has high privileges and permissions and can access various files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam a service account for the demonstration. Option C is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. A user account is a type of account that allows regular access to a system or network for employees or members of an organization. A user account typically has moderate privileges and permissions and can access various files or applications depending on their role. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam a user account for thedemonstration. Option D is incorrect, as it does not identify the type of account that the organization has given to Sam in the above scenario. An administrator account is a type of account that allows full access to a system or network for administrators or managers of an organization. An administrator account typically has the highest privileges and permissions and can access and modify any files or applications. In the above scenario, the organization has not given Sam an administrator account for the demonstration.

References: , Section 4.1

Archival media is the type of data that Kaison acquired in the above scenario. Archival media is a type of data that is stored on removable media such as DVD-ROMs, CD-ROMs, tapes, or flash drives. Archival media can be used to backup or transfer data from one system to another. Archival media can be acquired using forensic tools that can read and copy the data from the media4. References: Archival Media